Cloning is the process of creating an identical copy of an original. A clone is a single cell or multi-cellular organism that is genetically identical to another living organism. If the low success rates can be improved reproductive cloning can be used to develop efficient ways to reliably reproduce animals with special qualities. For example, drug-producing animals or animals that have been genetically altered to serve as models for studying human disease could be mass-produced. Reproductive cloning also could be used to repopulate endangered animals or animals that are difficult to breed. Therapeutic cloning technology may some day be used in humans to produce whole organs from single cells or to produce healthy cells that can replace damaged cells in degenerative diseases. Much work still needs to be done before therapeutic cloning can become a realistic option for the treatment of disorders.
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